Frame for attachment to a dock structure having means to receive containers

ABSTRACT

A frame adapted to receive containers, particularly empty plastic beverage containers, such as two-liter plastic pop bottles, and adapted to be attached to a dock structure. When the dock structure, frame and bottles are in mutual cooperation, the containers provide buoyancy to the dock structure. The containers are preferably screwed into the frame and may be removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to flotation devices such as, forexample, cottage docks; floating bridges such as those used by allterrain vehicles, lawn tractors, golf carts; island docks, mooring docksfor boats; floats for an anchor; or boardwalks. More specifically, theinvention relates to a frame into which empty containers such as plasticbeverage bottles are screwed and which can be attached to a dock or thelike. Hereinafter the term dock structure will be understood to implyone of a cottage dock, floating bridge, island dock, mooring dock forboats, float for an anchor, boardwalk, or other similar structure.

Devices using plastic bottles as a means of flotation have been proposedin the art such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,929 entitled Docking Systemissued to Leisure Docks Inc. on Aug. 17, 1993. That patent teaches adevice made up of several modules, each module comprising a deck andside walls to form a hollow chamber in which plastic containers areadhered to each other, to the side walls, to the deck and to points onthe bottom of the module. The device fails to provide an arrangementwhich allows for easy installation or replacement of bottles by a user.In addition, the patent fails to teach a device adapted for attachmentto a dock.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aframe for attachment to an underside of a dock structure to providebuoyancy thereto, characterized by a generally planar frame portion; aplurality of receiving members, attached to the frame portion and eachadapted to receive a hollow container by holding and sealing an open endof the container, each of the receiving members comprising a pluralityof supports extending in an outward radial direction with respect toeach receiving member; and means for attaching the frame to theunderside of a dock structure, such that the containers depend from theframe and provide a buoyancy effect to the dock structure.

The frame is adapted to be attached to a dock structure and has means toreceive empty containers, such as plastic beverage containers. When thedock structure, frame and containers are in mutual cooperation, thecontainers provide buoyancy to the dock structure. The means forreceiving the containers may include female screw portions into whichmale screw portions of the containers can be screwed, ideally influid-tight manner. Preferred containers are two-liter plastic drinkbottles. The frame includes a means to allow attachment of the frame toa dock structure such as holes by which the frame may be attached to adock structure with fastening means such as screws.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided adock system characterized by a dock structure; and a plurality of framesas described above wherein the frames are attached to an underside ofsaid dock structure using said attaching means.

The present invention provides a frame with or without containersassociated therewith and with or without a dock structure associatedtherewith.

A dock structure may be provided with additional features such as, forexample, a towing means in order to aid in towing the device on landand/or on water, a ladder, recreational features, and the like.

The arrangement of the frame may be such that when all of the femalescrew portions are filled with containers, the containers come intocontact with each other or, alternatively, such that the bottles areslightly spaced and do not come in contact with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 into which twobottles are screwed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame of FIG. 1 into which 25bottles are screwed; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing four frames according to anembodiment of the present invention into which bottles are screwed andwhich are attached to a dock structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A frame 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. The frame 1 is illustrated on its own inFIG. 1 and in cooperation with bottles 2 in FIGS. 2 and 3 as describedbelow. The frame 1 comprises a surface 4 and an array of female screwportions 3 thereon. The female screw portions 3 are each ofsubstantially cylindrical form with a threaded interior. The femalescrew portions 3 are adapted to receive male screw portions of bottles 2such as two-liter plastic pop bottles. The female screw portions 3comprise eight supports 5 extending in an outward radial direction withrespect to each screw portion 3. The surface 4 includes apertures 6which can be used to attach the frame to a dock structure 7 as seen inFIG. 4 in which four frames are used.

Arrangement of the female screw portions 3 relative to the surface 4 isdependent on the size of the bottle to be used and the desired shape ofthe surface 4. The size and dimensions of the female screw portions 3are dependent on the size and dimensions of the male screw portions ofthe bottles 2 which are to be used. If a standard two-liter plasticbottle is to be used, the diameter of each female screw portion shouldbe approximately 1⅛ in. and if a square grid configuration havingcontacting bottles is desired (as seen for example in FIG. 3), thedistance between the centers of each of the female screw portions 3should be approximately 4⅜ in. In such a square grid configurationadapted to result in contacting bottles, the dimensions of the surfacemay advantageously be 1′ 6¾″ by 1′ 6¾″ and if bottles 2 are screwed intothe frame 1 the outer dimensions of the array of bottles are 1′ 9⅞″ by1′ 9⅞″.

In one embodiment of the present invention the frame and, in particulareach female screw portion, is adapted to cooperate with an inner gasketto help ensure an air-tight seal. Such a gasket may be provided as partof the frame or otherwise.

Many different sizes and shapes of the frame 1 are contemplated for usein conjunction with a variety of dock structures. In fact, multipleframes 1 may be used with a single dock structure as seen in FIG. 4. Theshape of the frame 1 is not specifically limited and could be, forexample, annular, triangular, rectangular and may include at least oneinternal cavity such as in a donut shape.

Because the bottles are screwed into the device, should one or morebottles become damaged, it/they may be replaced without the need for aninvolved procedure requiring special tools. The replacement maypreferably be performed by the end user.

An alternative to the female screw portions is another means to receivecontainers such as two-liter pop bottles, such that the attachment isremovable, secure and provides a good seal such as a clamp or a plug,over which the open end of the bottle can be pressed to create a securestructure and fluid-tight seal.

In an alternative embodiment the frame comprises a means to securecontainers in place using a locking system in order to prevent potentialtampering. In another embodiment, the frame comprises a means to securecontainers in place so that the containers are not readily removable.

Referring to a system using a frame of the present invention, certainbottles may be partially filled or substantially filled with a liquidsuch as water, in order to adjust the flotation and buoyancycharacteristics. The degree and geometric properties of flotation aredependent, in part, upon which female screw portions are occupied, thatis, the location and number of bottles which are in place. In oneembodiment, means to hold the bottles in tight cooperation is providedin order to distribute the stresses. Such a means may be a strap whichcan be placed around the bottles or may be provided by a dock structure.

A dock structure used in conjunction with a frame of the presentinvention may include many features such as a means of anchorage, ladderor slide.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The frame for attachment to a dock structure having means to receivecontainers as taught herein generally provides improved means ofassembling flotation devices such as, for example, cottage docks;floating bridges such as those used by all terrain vehicles, lawntractors, golf carts; island docks, mooring docks for boats; floats foran anchor; or boardwalks.

1. A frame (1) for attachment to an underside of a dock structure toprovide buoyancy thereto, characterized by: a generally planar frameportion (4); a plurality of receiving members (3), attached to saidframe portion (4) and each adapted to receive a hollow container (2) byholding and sealing an open end of said container (2), each of saidreceiving members (3) comprising a plurality of supports (5) extendingin an outward radial direction with respect to each receiving member(4); and means for attaching said frame (1) to the underside of a dockstructure, such that said containers (2) depend from said frame (1) andprovide a buoyancy effect to said dock structure.
 2. A frame (1)according to claim 1 wherein each receiving member (3) comprises afemale screw portion adapted to receive a male screw portion of one ofsaid container (2).
 3. A frame (1) according to claim 1 wherein eachreceiving member (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical portionextending normally from said frame portion (4) and a plurality ofsupports (5) extending in an outward radial direction with respect tosaid cylindrical portion.
 4. A frame (1) according to claim 1 whereineach receiving member (3) comprises a clamp adapted to receive saidcontainers (2).
 5. A frame (1) according to claim 1 wherein eachreceiving member (3) comprises a plug adapted to receive said containers(2).
 6. A frame (1) according to claim 1 wherein said attaching meanscomprises a plurality of apertures in said frame (1) through whichfastening means, used to attach said frame to said underside of saiddock structure, may be inserted.
 7. A frame (1) according to claim 6wherein said fastening means comprises at least one screw.
 8. A frame(1) according to claim 1 wherein said containers (2) comprise two-literplastic drink containers.
 9. A frame (1) according to claim 1 whereinsaid dock structure is a structure selected from the group consisting ofa cottage dock, floating bridge, island dock, mooring dock for boats,float for an anchor and a boardwalk.
 10. A frame (1) according to claim1 wherein each receiving member (3) comprises an internal gasket toenable an air- and fluid-tight seal between each receiving member (3)and said container (2).
 11. A frame (1) according to claim 1 whereineach receiving member (3) is oriented to enable the containers (2) toextend substantially normal to said frame (1).
 12. A frame (1) accordingto claim 1 wherein said receiving members (3) are positioned on saidframe (1) in a grid to allow said containers (2) to be arranged in agrid form.
 13. A frame (1) according to claim 1 wherein said receivingmembers (3) are positioned on said frame (1) such that when thecontainers (2) are held by said receiving members (3), each container(2) contacts at least another container (2).
 14. A frame (1) accordingto claim 1 wherein said frame portion (4) is substantially in the formof right angle quadrilateral.
 15. A frame (1) according to claim 1wherein each receiving member (3) comprises a lock which may be used toprevent potential tampering.
 16. A frame (1) according to claim 1comprising a plurality of said receiving members (3) and a plurality ofcontainers (2) attached thereto.
 17. A frame (1) according to claim 1wherein each of said receiving members (3) includes eight of saidsupports (5).
 18. A frame (1) according to claim 1 wherein said dockstructure is attached to said frame using said attaching means.
 19. Adock system comprising: a dock structure; and a plurality of frames (1),each of said frames comprising a generally planar frame portion (4); aplurality of receiving members (3) attached to said frame portion (4)and each adapted to receive a hollow container (2) by holding andsealing an open end of said container (2), each of said receivingmembers (3) comprising a plurality of supports (5) extending in anoutward radial direction with respect to each receiving member (4) andmeans for attaching said frame (1) to the underside of a dock structure,such that said containers (2) depend from said frame (1) and provide abuoyancy effect to said dock structure; wherein said frames (1) areattached to an underside of said dock structure using said attachingmeans.